Thanks for responding and you also answered my next question. If spinning the screw in too fast will heat the plastic too much

Unless they’ve redesigned their clutch you have to be careful with DW’s. There’s been a design flaw in the clutch for years. Our DW920’s in our aviation boxes at work are horribly inaccurate and “skip” in the clutch which loads almost triple the torque value. I only know it to be that specific model and I’m not honestly sure if they’re even carrying it anymore, but we started using personal ones because of the flaw, even after googling a fix and modifying them.

Yes, can definitely happen! Especially if it is the first time tapping into that plastic component, which generates a lot more friction. I usually add a thin wipe of black grease to all screws tapping in to plastic... then try to go slowly, take pauses. Or, best of all, use a hex driver the first time then electric after that.

Some other options to consider are the Muchmore Professional Electric Power Drivers... looks like a 'massager' but apparently does the job of driving screws quite well. Quite compact.

I've been quite happy with Ryobi 4V drivers (have had both the clutch and clutchless versions. I prefer not to get in the habit of relying on the clutch not to over-torque the screw and instead watch closely or go by feel, so the clutch isn't a big deal to me.

If I were to buy one today it would be the Metabo/Ryobi. The two batteries included is a great bonus, nothing more frustrating than having a big job to do and the power driver runs flat. When comparing, consider the cost and availability for a second battery.

“Massager” lmfao!!!!

I didn’t see it until now...thanks

Until I saw this I thought the post said messenger. Thought to myself what's a messenger?

In regards to driver speed. . . one other thing I like about the gyroscopic, because speed is controlled by the angle of your wrist, if you don't hold the driver too tight, as you get to the end of the run the torque will return it back to neutral so it doesn't get over tightened. That was a terrible run on sentence but hopefully you get the idea. The slow speed (slight turn of the wrist) is very controlled.

I used to use a Ryobi 4v with clutch as one of the other posters alluded to. Served me very well for many years and was about $40 I think when I got it which is less than half the Dewalt if you want a dedicated driver for RC. You don't need anything above 4v as far as I'm concerned but if you use it around the house as well like I do having more power to drive things is welcome.

I like my muchmore. Has the ability to still use it to hand tighten so you don't have to swap tools.

+1 on the Milwaukee's.
the m12 line up. plunity power with our striping and i love my m12 soldering iron and heat treat. that use the same batteries.

Do you have a link showing this? I've seen lots about the DeWalt gyro screwdriver online and never once before have I seen anybody mention issues with the clutch. Just because DeWalt has a problem with one clutch, that in the DW920, doesn't mean they have problems with the clutch in the gyro screwdriver or any of their other tools for that matter.

I bought the Milwaukee 12v and have had no issues at all. I rarely charge the batteries either and can built kits all week long. I bought it from HomeDepot one day when I saw it for sale for $45

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Milwauke...1-22/100615066

I’ve only dealt with the 920 model, not the newer gyro line. I would assume they’d have addressed it with the new lineup and I haven’t seen anything with gyro Dewalts. After I spent more $500 on 920’s I’m a bit sour with them. Hence why I moved to my snap-on’s exclusively for power related screwiness.

We did have another 920 kink the wires passing through the 45 degree bend just yesterday, but that particular device has been put through WAY more paces than an RC related power driver will ever see.

So I thought no one responded becuase I didn't get a single alert! Come back a week later and man the conversation and recommendations galore! Thanks, guys. Think I am down to the Dewalt. I really liked the Makita, but I am not spending $180 on an RC electric screwdriver. Like I mentioned in the original, I really liked the clutch on the TEK4, if I set it to 1, it never once stripped a bolt and the speed was great too, not too fast that it would overheat plastic on long bolts.

If there is any specific feedback on how sensitive the clutch is at it's lowest setting on any of those you prefer, that would be helpful. Much appreciated.

You say that, but you’ll use it for more than just RC. I use mine on every home project and now I take mine on extended work trips when I’m able (Job supplies them on certain sites)

Some of the drivers from Makita and Milwaukee would work, but they aren't as slim and that sometimes makes them tough to use in tighter spots on RC's.

I didn't know Ryobi had a driver with a clutch. Cool. I'll have to check that out.

The last kit I built with my DeWalt gryo was the Vanquish VS4-10 Ultra. For most of the screws going into plastics I could have that up at 10. Harley Designs, who works at Vanquish, was building his with his clutch set to 11 in his video.

What I like to do is set the clutch light and drive it into plastics. Then finish tightening it with a manual hex driver. If the screw was loose than turn the clutch up a click or two and repeat the process until you find that you have to tighten the screw very little or not at all with a hex driver.

Perfect, thanks! This is what I was looking for. The Ryobi with the clutch is old. Mine was like 4 years old, it's no longer made. Hence my search for a new one.

But if 10-11 is good for building then I have plenty of room to dial down or up. I also like to get drive them most of the way in and finish with a manual driver.
Thanks for the reply, much appreciated.